Norenberg tallies career-high seven saves

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Despite facing a barrage of shots, the Miami University women’s soccer team played strong defense but a second-half goal proved to be the difference as Central Michigan nipped the RedHawks, 1-0, Friday afternoon at the CMU Soccer Complex. Miami (6-6-0, 1-4-0 Mid-American Conference) suffered its fourth straight loss, all in league play, its longest drought since 2008, while CMU (9-1-3, 3-0-2 MAC) extended its home unbeaten streak to 30 games.

The Chippewas controlled much of the match, outshooting the ‘Hawks, 23-4, for the game, while earning nine corner kicks without conceding one. The 23 shots allowed were a season high for a RedHawk opponent. Miami was held scoreless for the third time during its four-game losing streak while CMU has still not allowed a goal in league play (five games).

Central Michigan fired all seven of its first-half shots before the ‘Hawks were able to take aim. Sophomore Katy Dolesh (South Euclid, Ohio) blasted Miami’s lone shot on goal of the match in the 35^th minute, which was saved by CMU’s Stefanie Turner, who logged the shutout. Dolesh then had her second shot of the day blocked in the closing seconds of the opening period, as the game remained scoreless at the break.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Allison Norenberg (Palatine, Ill.) made two of her career-best seven saves early in the second stanza but the Chippewas finally broke through in the 54^th minute. After a Miami foul, Ashley Mejilla took a quick restart on a free kick and chipped the RedHawk defense allowing Morgan Wilcoxon to get on the end of the ball and finish it to put CMU on top, 1-0.

Miami would manage just two shots in the second half while the Chippewas took 16, including six on target. The Red and White’s best chance to equalize came in the 82^nd minute but freshman Lauren Colliver’s (Hillsboro, Ohio) header was wide as CMU went on to post the 1-0 victory.

Miami looks to snap its four-game skid Sunday when it travels to Ypsilanti, Mich. for a 1 p.m. match with Eastern Michigan.

--MURedHawks.com--